The average person spends roughly one-third of their lives sleeping. It’s important for both our mental and physical health, and finding the comfort sweet spot that helps maximise the REM cycles can be a challenge. I’ve slept on pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses over the years, but what about a hybrid? I tried one from Simba
to see if it offers the best of both mattress worlds.
What’s Hot:
+ Feels evenly supportive
+ Cooling layer helps regulate temperature as you sleep
What’s Not:
– Very heavy and awkward to move while packaged
– Less suitable for front sleepers
What is a hybrid mattress?
A hybrid mattress combines spring technology with foam layers to hopefully offer both comfort and stability in equal measure. The Simba Hybrid mattress features a thick foam base layer, a stabilising core foam layer, an Aerocoil spring layer, and a graphite-infused Simbatex layer, all topped by a removable, washable, soft-touch top layer.
Each layer serves a different purpose, designed to help you drift off comfortably and stay asleep longer. The foam creates a solid base that supports the mattress evenly, while the Aerocoil spring layer, made up of 1900 microsprings, serves two purposes. Each spring moves independently as weight or pressure is applied, giving a cushioned feel, while also pushing cool air through the layers of foam to keep you cool and regulating temperature more effectively.
This air movement works in tandem with the Simbatex layer, which Simba claims has five times the airflow of memory foam. It’s infused with graphite to absorb heat, keeping things cosy but not too warm, which is great for those who run a little too hot at night.
What’s the Simba Hybrid mattress like to sleep on?
On a technical level, it all sounds impressive, but does that translate into real-world comfort? The slight downside of any hybrid or memory foam mattress is that, unlike pocket-sprung rivals, they arrive rolled and vacuum-packed. While this makes the package smaller and, in some ways, easier to handle (albeit very heavy), it means it takes six hours to fully expand and be ready to sleep on.
Once we’d wrestled the package out of the box (it needs more than one pair of hands) and onto the bedframe, we stripped off the plastic wrapping and watched the mattress begin to fill out. It didn’t take long for it to settle nicely onto the ottoman bedframe, so we left it alone to do its thing.
First impressions of sleeping on the Simba Hybrid mattress were good. The balance of springy feeling and softness suited me well, and as I snuggled down, the description from Simba of “medium-firm” seemed about right.
It took a couple of nights to get used to the new mattress, which, after around seven years with the previous one, came as no surprise. Once I was fully accustomed to it, though, I found that I was sleeping well, particularly if my smart watch was anything to go by.
The foam layers provide support while still allowing me to sink in enough to feel cossetted and comfortable, without being overly restricted. For back and side sleepers, of which I’m usually the latter, it’s a great combination. For front sleepers, it’s a little too soft, giving a touch too much under the heavier body, leaving limbs at less comfortable angles than a firmer mattress would.
I do tend to get too hot at night, which often disturbs my sleep. Since sleeping on the Simba Hybrid, I’ve been woken much less often, which can only be a good thing. Bring on the summer!
Simba Hybrid Mattress: The verdict
Having slept on many mattress types at home and in countless hotels, I was impressed by the Simba Hybrid. It strikes a balance of comfort and firmness that will suit most people, except those who prefer something really firm and dedicated front sleepers.
The only downside is the weight of the boxed mattress. This isn’t something that can be helped, of course, but it might prove problematic for some needing to get a new mattress up the stairs. I’d like to think that the delivery company might be happy to help with that if required, but it is something to consider when buying.
Support is delivered fairly evenly across the bed, with just a little softness at the edges. Not enough to leave you with that rolling or falling feeling, but knowing exactly when you’re getting close to the edge.
The zip-off top layer will help to keep things fresh and clean, too. Just strip it off and wash it with the bedding — another plus for Simba and the product’s longevity.
Tested: Simba Hybrid Mattress
Price: From £649. Super king as tested: £999
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
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